Seat Question

[Andrew]

Hi all

I don't have the wood for the sides yet (can't afford it :x ), so while I save my pennies I'm trying to get as much done as I can.

I realise that the S'sons say that by the time you reach the seats that the measurements are more a guide than 'exact' figures, but my seat 'divider' seems to be short at the top by about 2 inches, where the bottom measurement is almost perfect.

Did anyone else find this, or is this just another 'Andrew mod' for VAZTR?

Thanx

Andrew

PS. the rudderbox is on and the steering shaft mockup is working well - now to make the real thing!

[Barry Pyeatt]

Andrew,

That 2" in difference can be the result of any number of variables. First is that the seats are not level as designed. They slope down to the hull sides and are higher in the center. That can make a difference in measurments. The exact height of the seat can be off just a little and with the difference in slope of the seat/slope of the hull side make a large difference quickly. The geometry of the hull/seat/bottom can make a 2" difference easily. That is primarily why the dimensions are a guideline only and most everyone has to make them to fit. Have another cool one and just keep on going. :wink:

[tdrown]

Instead of using stringers to build the seats I made a frame first. I have a divider on the Starbord side but eliminated it on the port side. I put the divider in so that I could have a built in cooler. which has not been realised yet (I need to figure out what I am going to do for insulation and get a job so I can buy it) I ended up cutting about 4 partitions and finaly realised that the whole length for storage would be nice for oars or paddles and such. I think the dimentions they mensioned in the plans might be off, if I remember correctly after trying to loft the partition onto the plywood I realised that the dimentions were imposible.

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[tdrown]

A shot of the port-side seat framing that I used

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[Florin {VACATIONER}]

Andrew, the Stevensons are right about that and many others. When you get to that stage (and even earlier) all the compounded errors come into play and you have to cut to fit (a lot). I cut my seats a bit larger (1" both ways I believe) and then trimmed to fit. It doesn't take too much longer to do this. The end result turned out pretty good although it's not perfect, but that's what we've got bondo and caulking for :-)

Last thing I've done is I used a flush trim router bit to trim the front of the seat tops flush with the front panels, but then I changed my mind and used a 1/2 roundover bit after to ease it a bit for it looked like too sharp an edge to have in a cockpit. It really looks sharp now!

We've pretty much built our boat $100 at a time as well, mainly due to the lack of space we have in the boatshed and couldn't store all of the materials in there at once. Obviously I've ran out of materials numerous and sundry times, but I've found out that there are many many other small chores to be done while you're waiting for more lumber. I have a running list of boat chores that I write as I go. Although it's getting increasingly longer (and I have a few of them lying in the boatshed) I do bring it out once in a while and check off some of the stuff when done. I hate lists :-)

Good luck!

Florin